Photo by Connor Gan on Unsplash
The function of a tripod is simple: to stabilize the camera to capture sharp photos and fixed videos by taking the strain off of the photographer or videographer. Unfortunately, with hundreds of different tripods on the market, finding the perfect tripod for your intended use is far from easy. Fear not, because we’ll cover everything you need to know about tripods and heads to help you choose the best tripod, regardless of what you want to shoot.
The tripod that works best for you may not be the same tripod that works best for other kinds of creators. Between the tripod and the head, there are numerous features that you need to consider when investing in a tripod. Let’s look at some of the most essential features to look for when picking out a tripod.
It may not be obvious to the eye, but most modern tripods are made of two different materials. Aluminum and carbon fiber have long been the gold standard for tripods, each with its benefits and drawbacks. On one hand, carbon fiber tripods are lighter, stiffer, and more durable than their counterparts. Aluminum tripods are generally more stable (due to increased weight) and cheaper. Carbon fiber is a popular choice for photographers looking to travel with their tripods, while those in studios usually like the more cost-effective aluminum tripods.
Most tripods have legs that can be broken down to make them more portable. Anywhere between two and five-leg sections is standard. Generally speaking, more leg sections mean the tripod will break down to be more compact, but this has a drawback. It takes longer to set up, and more leg sections also mean less stability. There are also options when it comes to leg locks on tripods. Two of the most commonly used locking mechanisms are twist and flip locks. Picking the right leg locks comes down to personal preference, but twist locks generally last longer than flip-locking legs.
It is crucial to pick the correct height for your tripod. Tripods range from tabletop height to over seven feet tall. Tabletop tripods are excellent in terms of cost and portability, but they are very limited in how they can be set up. On the other hand, taller tripods give the creator more flexibility but are bulkier and often more expensive. Most creators will find a tripod that is around their own height will be sufficient.
To attach your camera, you’ll need some kind of head for your tripod. There are thousands of heads on the market, and picking the right one comes down to your intended use. Most photographers can get by with a basic ball head, but video, wildlife, and sports photographers may want to purchase a panning head. This kind of head allows for more effortless camera movement to track your subject. Video shooters will want to invest in a fluid-type head for even smoother panning. When looking for a head, consider the size, weight, and the type of plate you use to secure your camera.
Picking a perfect video tripod is totally different from selecting a tripod for still images. While the purpose of a photo tripod is to keep the camera still, a video tripod’s purpose is to help the camera move smoothly while providing the necessary features to shoot locked-down footage as needed. If you’re a video shooter, look for a video tripod that offers leveling, counterbalance, and a head that encourages easy and smooth motion of the camera. You’ll want to use a head with a panning feature, allowing you to use a lever to move the camera. Video tripods are usually larger and heavier to help add stability while shooting. While some video heads can be mounted to just about any set of legs, specialized video legs allow for the mounting of half-balls for leveling. They are also often a bit heavier to aid in stability.
In past years, many new types of tripods have come to market to suit content creators. While a tabletop tripod has always been a staple for content creation due to its small size and ease of setup in small areas, there are now camera arms that function the same as tripods. For creators that shoot video in a small studio or on a desk, consider picking up a sliding arm and ball head for quick and easy filming. If you have to get a traditional tripod, consider how much you’ll need to travel with the tripod and how much stability you need. Finally, ensure your head can shoot both vertically and horizontally so you can capture great content in both orientations. Your perfect tripod must handle every situation you find yourself in.
Both travel and landscape photographers should look for the same features for their perfect tripod. Size and weight are two of the most important features of a tripod that will go in your suitcase or on your back. Next, stability is also vital, especially for those shooting in windy conditions. Unfortunately, these two factors play against each other, so you’ll have to compromise and determine how light you’re willing to go while maintaining an adequate balance of weight and stability. To increase the stability of a light tripod, look for a tripod with a hook on the underside. You can clip your backpack to this clip to weigh down the tripod. Also, consider opening the legs further to increase stability on a lighter tripod.
For general still photography, look for a versatile tripod. A tripod’s adjustable height will allow you to shoot at multiple angles, helping you capture the best image, no matter how high or low you need to get. An aluminum tripod will be a good choice for general stills, as you can save a little money and have a bit more stability than a similar carbon fiber tripod. Most standard ball heads should work great for still photographers.
Any photographer capturing images that require great precision should consider a special type of head. Micro adjustment heads allow the photographer to move the camera in very small increments much more precisely than a standard ball head. Most tripod legs will be sufficient as long as they’re stable. Still, you will definitely find yourself loving the capabilities of the micro adjustment heads. Especially when shooting with a telephoto lens, standard ball heads tend to sag down when you tighten them, which can make a huge difference if you’re shooting macro-style images.
Finally, remember that many higher-end tripods don’t come with heads, so this may be a separate purchase. Additionally, even if your tripod does come with a head, it may not be exactly what you need. Most tripods have removable heads that can be swapped out, so feel free to try out different combinations of heads and legs. Picking out the perfect tripod can be a taxing process, but once you find the tripod that works for you, it’ll work for life. The less you have to worry about your equipment, the more you can focus on your creativity and capturing amazing moments.
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